OCEAN SPRINGS — The executive director of the Mississippi Ethics Commission says Ocean Springs Mayor Connie Moran did not violate the state’s ethics code when she accepted a campaign contribution from a businessman whose company has a contract with the city.

The Sun Herald reports the $10,000 contribution was questioned during the Dec. 4 Board of Aldermen meeting.

The contribution came from Wally Carter of Delta Sanitation, a company affiliated with Waste Pro, which has the city’s contract and bid on the new contract.

Tom Hood, executive director of the state Ethics Commission, said such a contribution is a violation only if an elected official benefits in personal income — a campaign contribution does not prohibit an elected official from voting or vetoing any issue.